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Pens Finally Beat Caps

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 01: Chris Kunitz #14 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals with teammate Richard Park #12 during the third period at Verizon Center on December 1, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

(Credit: Rob Carr/Getty Images)

The Capitals out hit the Penguins 43-28 and came out a lot stronger than previous games, but could only muster two shots in the third period as they fall to the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 for the first time in regulation since March 9th, 2008 and have their second four game losing streak of the season.

“The players competed and we had some chances,” Capitals Head Coach Dale Hunter said. “They’re a good team over there but it was a one-one game and they got a chance and they buried [it]. So that’s the way the game goes. We had a few chances around the net and we’re getting better at it, it just takes time.”

The Caps ended up with 17 shots on goal, only one shot each for both Alex Ovechkin & Alexander Semin, and in two games with Dale Hunter in charge, the Caps have been out shot 65 to 36. Also in six of their last nine games the Caps have only scored one goal, including their last three. Jason Chimera had the lone Caps goal and has a team high ten on the season. Chimera had ten goals all of last regular season.

“It can’t be down the line,” Chimera said on generating offense. “It’s got to be now. We got to get people stepping up and scoring some goals, doing the little things. It was a good game overall. They had a lot of shots but a lot of them were outside. It’s a tough way to lose, but we got that kind of effort, it’ll be better. We came out pretty good. If we keep effort like that, the wins will come.”

Craig Adams and Chris Kunitz had the goals for the Penguins. Adams had an open net due to an Arron Asham wrap around pass and Kunitz just squeeked one by Vokoun with a wrister.

“He [Chris Kunitz] just hit perfect spot and went through me,” Vokoun said on Kunitz’s goal. People say all they want, but it’s not as easy as you think when you’re out there.”

Tomas Vokoun stopped 33 of 35 shots and is 10-7-0 on the season.

Defenseman John Erskine fought Arron Asham in the first period, Asham fought Jay Beagle in theirfirst meeting and gave him a concussion. Beagle hasn’t played since.

“It’s a lot of pride in the room there,” Hunter said on Erskine. “He was sticking up for his teammate and he did a good job.”

The Capitals are now 11-1-2 in their last 14 regular season games against the Penguins. The Caps will practice tomorrow and then host the Ottawa Senators on Saturday as they hope to end their four game slide.

“I think it’s a little period of time when we have to find our way back to get success, back to what we used to be,” Capitals Captain Alex Ovechkin said. “We’re not going to lose every game. But we scored one goal. We have to score more than one goal to win the game.”